Like most homes with young children The Snowman is a perennial Christmas favourite, so once it was announced that the tour was stopping off in Nottingham there was absolutely no doubt that we would be going along –even in late January.
You’re no doubt aware of the story of The Snowman, after all the book by Raymond Biggs has sold over £8 million copies worldwide, while the TV adaptation has been screened on UK television every Christmas since 1982 – while last year saw the release of the sequel, The Snowman and the Snowdog. The stage show, meanwhile, was first performed in 1993 so this year it celebrates its 21st year, having been loved across the world.
The story starts off in the same way as the original, with the young boy (Archie Durrant) waking up on a snowy day and building his very own snowman – and of course we all know what happens next. The moment that the Snowman came to life was a real goosebumps moment as, of course, was what is surely the most famous moment – when the Snowman and the boy fly high across the town. This moment wouldn’t have been complete without the famous, and hugely loved, “Walking in the Air” and the crowd reacted in applause at the sound of the song.
Of course the original story of The Snowman is only a half hour tale, far too short for a stage show, and so in the second half we get and addition to the story with the introduction of the stories bad guy, who else than Jack Frost (Paul Farrell), who received a rather frosty reception when first appearing on stage. Yes I went there. Also a part of the second act was the Ice Princess, played brilliantly by Soonja Lee.
This was a brilliant adaptation of a true classic, keeping all the elements that make the original story so special but expanding it into a thrilling, and hugely enjoyable, stage show. The set was brilliant, truly replicating the feeling of winter and Christmas filled with vibrant colours – and even “real” snow, while the costumes were exquisite – with all eleven snowman costume hand sown beautifully.
It’s fair to say The Snowman was a huge hit in our household with the two eldest NottinghamLIVE minions excitedly talking about their favourite moments well after the show had finished – as well as hoping that The Snowman and the Snowdog would soon be adapted for stage – while both stating they wanted to play the part of the boy if they could.
Review by Geri Patterson
